Economy

Sustainable agriculture

Agriculture significantly shapes the parks' landscapes: over a third of the Swiss parks area is still used for this activity. Product certification specifically encourages sustainable agriculture. Also, there are more organic farms in Swiss parks than elsewhere in Switzerland.

Example: Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut Regional Nature Park

How to develop agricultural productionAlpine and mountain farming are part of the identity of the regional nature park Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut. They are part of its landscapes, traditions, as well as its social and economic life. Farmers are therefore important partners for the park, which strongly supports the development of ecological networks and high quality farming projects.

Agricultural production is at the heart of the producers' work. Even though AOP cheeses and other regional brands are well known, the park label definitely helps marketing park products. Cooperatives and producers have quickly identified the label's potential. Today, over a hundred products coming from 17 park partners representing 160 farms are certified.

Together with the farmers concerned, the Park carried out a situation analysis of the last remaining slaughterhouse on its territory that belongs to the municipality of Château-d'Oex. The parks' team then accompanied the implementation of the proposed measures. A regional cooperative was set up to take over the operations of the slaughterhouse. Its activities could be significantly increased - and would benefit the animals (less transport) as well as shorter sales circuits (regional added value). In another area, the Park, in collaboration with farmers and the school for agricultural , has launched a project to promote the sustainable management of pastures.

François Margot, Director

Example: Swiss National Park

A paradise for animal watchingThe Swiss National Park (SNP) was founded over a hundred years ago in order to protect a part of alpine nature and life from human intervention, and for scientific research purposes. This project, originally intended to protect nature, is also an economic success story. In our fast paced, highly stressed society, small bubbles of quiet and genuine experiences in nature become more and more important. 150'000 guests visit the park every year in order to recharge their batteries. The many wildlife-watching possibilities play a key role. Thanks to strict protection rules, animals are now used to people and are a lot less shy. It is therefore possible to walk on paths and observe countless wild animals. Val Trupchun is one of the best spots: as many 400 elks can be seen wandering through open meadows on clear days. The bearded vulture is another highlight. It was released in the national park from 1991 to 2007 and now happily breads there.

Hans Lozza, Communication manager

Regional products

Any park can award the «Swiss Parks» label to its regional products. Producers thus contribute to achieving the park's objectives. In turn, the park helps them to market and sell their products.

There are now over 1700 certified products produced in 14 parks. A wide range of activities allows visitors to experiment their production as well as the cultural landscapes shaped by the latter.

Sustainable tourism

Families, individuals or school classes, groups or companies will all find captivating things to do in the Swiss parks: excursions in alpine landscapes, nice walks though pleasant hills, hikes over rugged rocky formations or e-bike tours through blossoming orchards.

Thanks to the added value it creates in the region, tourism also represents an important economic potential for the Swiss parks. The development of tourism is based on the parks' values and takes into account both environmental and social criteria. Tourism in the parks was rewarded in 2016 as the Swiss parks were finalists in the 2016 «Tourism for Tomorrow Award», the international prize for sustainable tourism.

Soft mobilityToday, mobility and transport represent a major challenge for the tourism and leisure sector. Swiss parks count on soft mobility and public transport to support the sustainable development of their region. All activities in Swiss parks are accessible by public transport and many partnerships have been set up at national and regional level to promote soft mobility. See all the offers.

Swiss parks for allThe parks are committed to ensuring an accessible tourism for everyone, more specifically for people with disabilities, through three main areas: improving the information available on the accessibility of offers and/or activities, raising awareness and training of employees and partners and developing specific accessible offers (barrier-free paths, provision of infrastructure, etc.). These projects are supported by Denk an mich within the «jubilee projects».

Value creation

Parks make sure that the whole production chain and the resulting added value stays in the park. The local community produces and also consumes their products.

Tourism plays a significant role in contributing to the local added value: studies estimate that each Swiss franc invested from public funds generates 6 francs in economic benefit.